Top California Hospitals for Travel Nurses in 2025; California has remained a popular destination for travel nurses with diverse opportunities in the nation’s esteem healthcare.
Its hospitals are known for vast commitment in excellence, medical technologies.
This guide will provide a list of top California hospitals for travel nurses in 2025/2026, while taking an optical appraisal into their unique qualities, as well as why they are top and stood out from the rest.
About travel Nurse
Travel nurses are usually required to take temporary nursing Positions in a high-need areas in hospitals, and health outfits.
They are nurses themselves, however, are being used on temporary capacity to provide healthcare services to patients.
The history of travel nurse dates back to 1970s due to high-census healthcare outlook.
Looking at this situation, high census occurs when the patients in a healthcare outfit or hospital outnumber the nursing staff required to provide quality and adequate healthcare service.
Responsibilities of travel Nurse
- They travel to patients’ homes, and other locations to administer medication, vaccines, as well as take other tests.
- They perform wound inspections, monitoring patients, and changing dressing, etc.
- They address patient’s concerns, as well as providing healthcare and nutritional advice.
- Travel nurse monitors patient’s recovery, compiles reports needed by doctors and other medical stakeholders
- They ensure that medical supplies, equipment are sterile in good condition for use at all times.
Skills and requirements to become a travel Nurse
- Aspiring travel nurse should have relevant license and certification
- A proven work experience or similar role
- Top-notch problem-solving and analytical ability
- Completed apprenticeship, or experience in similar role
- Ability to work independently, as well as follow instructions to the later.
- Top-notch report writing skills
- Have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or its equivalent.
Why you should consider a career in travel nursing
This is a great way to explore new work environment, this arguably comes with competitive pay, other benefits and free housing as the case may be.
As a travel nurse, you can choose, you are allowed to choose assignment in a preferred destination.
As a rule of thump, you will experience different healthcare facilities throughout the country, as well as an individual learning experience.
You will meet more people while there exists the chance to help your patients even more.
Your ability to land more assignment is subject to how flexible you are.
Benefits of being a travel nurse
As a travel nurse, your work is dynamic in the sense that you got to choose whether you are looking to work for a long term or short term. However, the following benefits are due to travel nurse;
1. License and travel reimbursement
Nurses are reimbursed for state licensure, however, as well as receive reimbursement regarding travel expenses which include but are not limited to gas and airfare.
2. The schedule is flexible
As a travel nurse, you have the leverage to decide where you will work, with a flexible scheduling you can take breaks while on contract to visit family, friends, etc.
3. Private housing
Your accommodation is usually covered as a travel nurse, alternatively receive a free-tax housing stipend. It’s advised you should discuss your accommodation preference to know what type of accommodation is covered by the employer.
This provides a huge avenue to live rent-free, as well as save money while in the country.
4. Attractive pay
Pursuing travel nurse opportunity provides a ground to increase your earning potential, travel nurses are well paid than the staff nurse.
Traveling comes with exceptional salaries, bonuses, and reimbursement.
5. Insurance
Some comprehensive health benefits are offered by travel nurse companies, these include but are not limited to; health, dental, and life insurance for travel nurses and their families.
6. Career growth
Working at various facilities gives nurses invaluable experiences, and broadens their skill set.
You are exposed to different patient population, learn from new colleagues, and acquire new techniques not easily learned by staying in one hospital all your career.
Top California Hospitals for Travel Nurses in 2025
While there are over a handful of hospitals for travel nurses in California, below are a carefully handpicked top 10 to help you make informed decision into your career as a travel nurse looking to work in California.
1. Modoc Medical Center (Alturas) California
Modoc Medical center is health facility known to have delivered a healthcare need of its community since 1951.
Posits as a critical access hospital providing;
- Emergency services
- Family practice medicine
- Retail pharmacy, and
- Operating a 50-bed skilled nursing facility in addition to other ancillary services
Which include but are not limited to;
- Radiology
- Laboratory
- Physical therapy, and
- Day surgery services.
MMC is arguably the residence of Alturas, California, and its environs.
MMC is located in the rural northeastern side of the state, Modoc County borders Oregon and Nevada.
MMC has in its vision to provide the highest quality healthcare, in ways that show kindness and respect, as well as allow every patient to feel valued as human.
MMC does not just posit as a hospital where travel nurses could work, and enjoy a work-life balance, however, provides scholarship for nurses to advance their career.
Its scholarship is called the Dragon Lady Nursing Scholarship, created through a partnership with Sunrise Rotary of Alturas and MMC in honor of Carol J. Christensen.
2. Anaheim Regional Medical Center
The Anaheim Regional Medical center is formally known as Anaheim Memorial Medical Center. The hospital is a 228-bed, acute care hospital in North Anaheim, California.
Opened in 1958 and served the greater North Anaheim, South Fullerton, La Habra and La Mirada areas. Named one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for quality in areas of heart attack care, heart failure care, as well as pneumonia care.
Anaheim Regional Medical Center posits as one of the best destinations for travel nurses looking to explore a career in nursing.
Work term is very flexible, welcoming atmosphere with a conducive work environment. Nurses choose how they wish to work, duration, and shift.
3. Sutter Delta Medical Center
Sutter is one of the unmatched healthcare outfits, a hub for community health and career catalyst for travel nurses as well as other medical professionals.
Through its diversity, Sutter Delta Medical Center looks to create a better outcome for everyone. Helping patients who are affected by anxiety or addiction, as well as to manage the emotional and psychological load.
Scout by Scutter elevate patient’s experiences by providing teens and young adults with necessary tools to confidently manage their mental health and positively impact the health of the communities it serves.
Based in Sacramento, Scutter provides healthcare to over 3.5 million Californians. Its integrated health system offers a connected care model that delivers treatment, when, where, and how people want it.
As a travel nurse, Scutter medical center is one of the best destinations for colleagues who are looking for fresh opportunities and challenge in the healthcare system.
4. St. Mary’s Medical Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center is located in Long Beach California, US. Currently operated by dignity hub, and a perfect destination for travel nurses in the country.
With an unmatched standard of care, St. Mary’s medical center offers a wide range of medical services ranging from wellness, and prevention programs to state-of-the-art diagnostic, medical and surgical procedures.
With a commitment to a reliable, compassionate, and safe care, makes it a leader in medical excellence for High Desert community.
By choosing St. Mary’s physicians, you’ll have access to;
- An extensive network of specialists to meet all your healthcare needs
- Multiple urgent care locations
- In-network hospital access
- In-person, virtual visits and after-hours care
5. St. Joseph Phoenix (Arizona), California
St. Joesph Phoenix and Medical Center is a hospital in Phoenix Arizona, operated by dignity health. St. Joseph is a 607-bed, not-for-profit hospital that provides a wide range of health, social, and support services.
Making it the best destination for travel nurses given its unique operational strategy, work-life balance, and flexibility in shift, work hours, etc.
St. Joseph Phoenix has a special advocate for poor and underserved in the community it operates.
St. Joseph medical center is nationally recognized center for quality tertiary care, medical education and research in central Phoenix, this includes;
- Barrow neurological institute
- The Norton thoracic institute
- Center for women’s health and level I trauma center verified by the American college of surgeons.
The 607-bed, not-for profit hospital also provides a wide range of health, social, and support services.
Founded in 1895 by the Sisters’ of Mercy, St. Joseph’s was first hospital in the Phoenix area.
6. Arroyo Grande Community
Arroyo Grande Community hospital was founded in 1961 and has been operated by several different owners at some point.
Purchased by visa hospital System, a non-profit California based healthcare system, Visa operated the outfit till 2003 when it went bankrupt and sold it to Arroyo Grande Hospital.
Arroyo Grande is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and beautiful foothills, lakes, and world-class wineries, with a thriving agricultural and tourism-based economy.
The community hospital is a full-service, general, acute-care medical-surgical facility.
In addition to the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, AGCH enjoys affiliation with several of the area finest physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals.
That said, Arroyo Grande Community hospital remains one of the best destinations for travel nurses who are looking to explore.
7. Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
Dignity health operates several hospitals in the Bakersfield area, this include but are not limited to Memorial Hospital.
In addition to its acute-care hospitals, Dignity health provides a growing number of healthcare facilities to meet the needs of the community including the Millennium Surgery Center.
Travel nurses are in huge demand in Bakersfield Memorial hospital, this could be an ideal destination to continue your career as a nurse.
8. HealthSouth Rehabilitation
If you are looking for a rehabilitation hospital for you or your loved one, it’s a good choice to consider the Rehabilitation hospital of Southern California.
The hospital provides specialized rehabilitative services to patients throughout the Coachella Valley and the surrounding areas who are recovering from disabilities, as a result of injuries, illness, or chronic medical conditions.
Travel nurses arguably found Rehabilitation hospital of Southern California a bespoke destination to continuing and achieving career goals.
9. Methodist hospital of Southern California
Methodist hospital of Southern California is located in the Southern part of Sacramento, California. With acute 162 care beds, the hospital has over 430 physicians and approximately 1,133 employees including nurses, making it a suitable destination for travel
nurses who are looking to explore career goals in California. Currently operated by Dignity Health, who acquired the hospital in 1992.
Methodist hospital of Southern California has been designated with as a Blue distinction center for knee and hip replacement by Blue Shield of California.
Surgeons at the hospital major on joint replacement, spine surgery and sports medicine.
10. Mercy Southwest
Mercy Southwest, the only acute care hospital west of Hwy 99. With a 15-bed level II emergency department, an 8-bed ICU along-side 10 tele beds, with six operating rooms, a state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical video suit.
California travel Nurses salary
| City | Salary |
| Vallejo, CA | $192,470 annually |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $188,020 annually |
| Santa Maria, CA | $3,51 average weekly salary |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $3,535 average weekly salary |
What is the best hospital for travel nurses in California?
The hospitals for travel nurses in California include but are not limited to;
- Modoc medical center
- Anaheim regional medical center
- Sutter Delta medical center
- Methodist hospital of Southern California
- Joseph Phoenix
- Arroyo Grande community
- Bakersfield memorial hospital, etc.
Which hospital hires the most travel nurses?
- Children of Omaha, Nebraska
- Maui Memorial Medical
- Boston medical center
- UVA Charlottesville
- Altru hospital grand forks
- Swedish Cherry Hill-Seatle
- Virginia Commonwealth university health
Where do travel nurses go in California?
Home to some of the largest medical and research facilities in the state, Sacramento is one of the best travel nursing locations in the US.
Where is the highest demand for travel nurses?
California has the highest demand for travel nurses.
Conclusion
California has remained a popular destination for travel nurses with diverse opportunities in the nation’s esteem healthcare.
Its hospitals are known for their vast commitment in excellence, medical technologies.
This guide will provides a list of top California hospitals for travel nurses in 2025, citing their unique qualities, as well as why they are top and stood out of the rest.